decision of the States was virtually a rebuke
of the dictatorial government of Stuyvesant, and several very
important reforms were ordered. This decision displeased the West
India Company. Those men deemed their rights infringed upon by this
action of the States-General. They were therefore led to espouse the
cause of the governor. Thus strengthened, Stuyvesant ventured to
disregard the authority of the States-General.

The Dutch at Manhattan began to be clamorous for more of popular
freedom. Stuyvesant, hoping to enlist the sympathies of the governors
of the English colonies in his behalf, made vigorous arrangements for
the long projected meeting with the Commissioners of the United
Colonies.

On the 17th of September, 1650, Governor Stuyvesant embarked at
Manhattan, with his secretary, George Baxter, and quite an imposing
suite. Touching at several places along the sound, he arrived at
Hartford in four days. After much discussion it was agreed to refer
all differences, of the points in controversy, to four delegates, two
to be chosen from each side. It is worthy of special remark that
Stuyvesant's secretary was an Englishman, and he chose two Englishmen
for his delegates.

In the award delivered by the arbitrators, it was decided that upon
Long Island a line running from the westernmost part of Oyster Bay, in
a straight direction to the sea, should be the bound between the
English and the Dutch territory; the easterly part to belong to the
English, the westernmost part to the Dutch. Upon the mainland, the
boundary line was to commence on the west side of Greenwich bay, about
four miles from Stamford, and to run in a northerly direction twenty
miles into the country, provided that the said line came not within
ten miles of the Hudson river. The Dutch were not to build any house
within six miles of said line. The inhabitants of Greenwich were to
remain, till further consideration, under the Government of the Dutch.
It was also decided that a nearer union of friendship and amity,
between England and the Dutch colonies in America, should be
recommended to the several jurisdictions of the United Colonies.

Stuyvesant reported the result of these negotiations to the Chamber at
Amsterdam but, for some unexplained reason, did not send to that body
a copy of the treaty. Upon his return to Manhattan he was immediately
met with a storm of discontent. His choice of two Englishmen as the
referees, to represent the Dutch caus